Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters, to Staff of Rear Admiral Albert P. Niblack, Commander, Patrol Forces Based on Gibraltar

Subject Copy.File No. <12-4-1>

Cablegram SentJuly, 15, 1918TOH

ToSenafloat, Gibraltar.Serial No. 1334

Prep. by CSNCT D.R.

29 ARD

CONFIDENTIAL

1334. Your 1139.1 Yes. Claims by American vessels2 should be investigated by body acting as Board of Investigation, rather than Court of Inquiry as we understand the term. Majority of Board should be American Officers and it should be borne in mind that determination of probability of sinking or damaging enemy submarine is often largely dependent upon information of subsequent submarine activity in neighborhood of encounter. 22515. 1334